Single plane electric reversing switch
for motor operation control

ABSTRACT

AN ELECTRIC SWITCH HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY PLANAR CONFIGURATION AND ADAPTED TO INTERCONNECT A CURRENT SOURCE AND A REVERSIBLE ELECTRIC MOTOR FOR MULTIDIRECTIONAL MOTOR OPERATION AND TO ELECTRICALLY CONNECT THE MOTOR FOR DYNAMIC BRAKING UPON THE CESSATION OF CURRENT FLOW TO THE MOTOR. FLAT CONDUCTORS CONNECTED TO THE CURRENT SOURCE AND MOTOR CONVERGE UPON AND ARE UNIQUELY ARRNGED ABOUT A POINT ON A CIRCUIT BOARD. PLURAL CONDUCTIVE BRIDGING ELEMENTS MOUNTED ON A MANUALLY MOVABLE SWITCH ACTUATOR ARE MOVABLE TO PLURAL SWITCH POSITIONS IN INTIMATE CONTACT WITH THE CONDUCTORS TO EFFECT DESIRED ELECTRICAL INTERCONNECTION OF THE CONDUCTORS.

Aug. 1, 1972 w, w CHIRQTA ETAL Re. 27,448

SINGLE PLANE ELECTRIC REVERSING SWITCH FOR MOTOR OPERATION CONTROL Original Filed April 15, L969 -2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 1, 1972 w w. c moT ETAL Re. 27,448

SINGLE PLANE EIJECTRIC REVERSING SWITCH FOR MOTOR OPERATION CONTROL Original Filed April 15 LSbS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 01 Re. 27,448 Reissued Aug. 1, 1972 27,448 SINGLE PLANE ELECTRIC REVERSIN G SWITCH FOR MOTOR OPERATION CONTROL William W. Chirota, Dearborn, Carl G. Rigge, Dearborn Heights, and Thomas Shewchuck, Dearborn, Mich., by Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Mich., assignee Original No. 3,564,181, dated Feb. 16, 1971, Ser. No. 816,253, Apr. 15, 1969. Application for reissue Nov. 19, 1971, Ser. No. 200,567 Int. Cl. H01h 1/36, 15/00 US Cl. 200-1 V 2 Claims Matter enclosed in heavy brackets I: II appears in the original patent but forms no part of this reissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An electric switch having a substantially planar configuration and adapted to interconnect a current source and a reversible electric motor for multidirectional motor operation and to electrically connect the motor for dynamic braking upon the cessation of current flow to the motor. Flat conductors connected to the current source and motor converge upon and are uniquely arranged about a point on a circuit board. Plural conductive bridging elements mounted on a manually movable switch actuator are movable to plural switch positions in intimate contact with the conductors to efiect desired electrical interconnection of the conductors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is well known that many utilizations of reversible electric motors require that the motors be braked dynamically upon the cessation of current input to the motors. Such braking allows precise control of motors motivated movement. For example, precise control of the movement of a motor vehicle power window is desirable. Dynamic braking of vehicle power window motors thus is conventional.

A control switch for a dynamically braked, reversible electric motor must be capable of directing electric current from a current source to either of two current input terminals associated with the motor. Also, the control switch must be capable of electrically interconnecting the two motor terminals immediately following the cessation of current flow to the motor in order that the motor be dynamically braked.

Conventional switches having these capabilities have been termed crossover switches and are of relatively complex designs. These complex designs render it quite difficult to manufacture economical and physically compact crossover switches from conventional switching components. These limitations on switch designs give rise to certain problems attendant the use of such switches.

An example of this may be seen by another reference to motor vehicle power window schemes. In certain instances, motor vehicle design parameters have caused reductions in the dimensions of vehicle doors. Serious problems have arisen as a result of these reductions since the packaging of power window control switches within the reduced size doors has become quite difiicult if not impossible.

It is an object of this invention to provide an electric switch to control the reversible operation of an electric motor and to provide dynamic braking for such a motor. The switch of this invention is relatively simple in design, may be manufactured easily and economically and essentially is planar in configuration to minimize packaging problems associated with its use. Furthermore, the switch herein disclosed is adapted for use with printed circu components without the necessity of an interconnectio between such components and separate conductors cor tained within a switch housing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A single plane electric switch constructed in accordanc with this invention is operative to direct selectively electn current from a current source to an electric motor operate the motor, and to connect the motor for dynami braking. This switch includes a planar circuit mountm member with four flat electrical conductors mounted o the member and lying in a common plane. Portions c each of the conductors converge about a point on th mounting member while being remote from electrical cor tact with one another. The electric motor is reverslbl and has a pair of terminals. The first of the conductol is connected to one terminal of the motor and a second c the conductors is connected to the other terminal of th motor. A third of the conductors is connected to one tel minal of a current source and the fourth of the conductol is connected to the other terminal of a current source. Th orientation of the conductors about the point on th mounting member is such that the first and second C01 ductors are diametrically opposed and the third and fourt conductors are diametrically opposed. A manually moi able switch actuator is secured adjacent the mountin member and is adapted to slide adjacent the plane of th conductors. Electrically conductive bridging means an carried by the actuator for movement therewith and a1 slidable in intimate contact with the conductors. The brid ing means have a first position interconnecting the fir: and third conductors and the second and fourth cor ductors. This connection operates the motor in a first d rection. In a second position, the bridging means intei connect the first and fourth conductors and the secon and third conductors to operate the motor in a secon direction opposite the first direction. In a third positio the bridging means interconnect the first and second cor ductors to brake dynamically the motor. The third 6 dynamic braking position of the bridging means is locate intermediate the first and second bridging means positioi DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of the exterior of the single plan electric switch assembly of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a switch assembly of thi invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the conductive circu leads utilized in the switch of this invention and illustrate schematically the circuit into which these conductive lead electrically are connected;

FIG. 4 is a schematic isometric view of the relativ positions of the conductive elements of the switch c this invention with said switch in the neutral or dynami braking position;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but showing th parts with the switch in a position for operating the moto associated therewith in a first direction; and

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but showing the cor ductive parts of this invention with the switch in a pos: tion to operate the motor in a second direction opposit to the direction in which the motor is operated with th parts in the position shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now in detail to the drawings and in particula to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, the numeral 10 denotes in gen eral a single plane electric switch for motor operatio: control constructed in accordance with this inventior Switch 10 includes as an integral part thereof a circui oard 12 having a substantially planar configuration upon vhich are mounted four flat conductors 14, 16, 18 and 50. As best may be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, these four lat conductors converge about a point on circuit board [2 but are oriented such that electrical contact is not estabished by virtue of this convergence.

A slide actuator 22 is positioned adjacent circuit board [2 and is adapted to be moved manually by grasping a rojection 24 extending upwardly therefrom. The side of tctuator 22 remote from projection 24 carries three elec- .rically conductive bridging members 26, 28 and 30. These :onductive bridging members are elongated and slide [cross the fiat conductors 14, 16, 18 and 20 upon movement of switch actuator 22.

A planar retaining member 32, having an opening 34 :xtending therethrough, is positioned over switch actuator 52 to maintain the switch actuator in the position decribed above. Opening 34, through which projection 24 :xtends, allows access for a switch operator to projection 24.

Referring now in particular to FIG. 3, there is illusrated the manner in which fiat electrical conductors 14, L6, 18 and 20 are connected in circuit with a current ource and a reversible electric motor such that reversible lperation as well as dynamic braking of the motor are LCCOIIIPllShBd. An electrically conductive lead 36 interconleets fiat conductor 14 and a first terminal 38 of a reversble, permanent magnet, DC motor. A second motor termi- \al 42 is electrically connected by means of a lead 44 o flat conductor 16. An electrically conductive lead 46 nterconnects flat conductor 18 and the positive terminal )f a current source 48, such as a battery. The negative erminal of current source 48 is interconnected to flat :lectrical conductor 20 by a conductive lead 50.

The significance of the arrangements described above nitially may be appreciated by reference to FIG. 1 whereu it may be seen that slide actuator 22 may manually e located in three possible positions. In a neutral posiion, projection 24 of slide actuator 22 is located near he midpoint of aperture 34 in retaining member 22. This vosition is the one illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 1 and s between the second and third positions 24a and 24b, hown in ghost near the extremities of aperture 34. In 'IG. 1, position 24, 24a and 24b bear the legends off, down and up," respectively. These legends are for llustrative 32 purposes only and correspond to the legends hat may be used if switch 10 were utilized as a control witch for a motor vehicle power actuated window.

The relative positions of the electrically conductive iridging contacts 26, 28 and 30 and the flat avire conducors 14, 16, 18 and 20 when actuator 22 is in the o )1 dynamic braking position may be appreciated by ref- :rence to FIG. 4 of the drawing. In FIG. 4, it may be een that with fiat actuator 24 at the middle of aperture '4 as illustrated in FIG. 1, central contact 28 intercon- LBCIS fiat wire conductors 14 and 16 such that terminals -2 and 38 of motor 40 are interconnected with one anthen It is well known that such an interconnection of he terminals of a reversible DC motor provide for dylamic braking of the motor if the motor is in movement 1 the time that such connection is established.

Motor 40 thus may be dynamically braked with slide .ctuator 22 of motor 10 in the off" or neutral position. the connections established by contacts 26 and 30 [beween conductors 16 and 18 and 16 and 20 respectively] not provide for current flow from current source 48 0 motor 40.

FIG. illustrates the positioning of the bridging conacts relative to the fiat conductors with the switch actuaor in the ghost position 24a bearing the legend down." u this position, switch provides for operation of reetsible motor 40 in one of two possible motor operation lirections. This operation is provided for by the electrical ontact established by bridging contacts 26 and 28 beween conductors 16 and 18 and 14 and 20, respectively.

The positive side of current source 48 thus is connected to terminal 42 of motor 40 through conductor 18, contact 26 and conductor 16. Terminal 38 of motor 40 is connected to the negative side of current source 48 through flat conductors 14, contact 28 and conductor 20. It thus may be seen that with the switch parts in the orientation of FIG. 5 electric current is directed from current source 48 through motor 40.

FIG. 6 of the drawings illustrates the positioning of the switch parts with the slide actuator in the position 24b of FIG. 1 that is designated up." This orientation of the parts of switch 10 provides for motor operation in a direction opposite to the direction of motor operation caused by the positioning of the switch parts as shown in FIG. 5. This reverse operation may be appreciated by reference to the fact that with the parts in the positions shown in FIG. 6, terminal 38 of motor 40 is connected to the positive side of current source 48 through flat conductor 14, contact 28 and flat conductor '18. Terminal 42 of motor 40 is internection of motor terminals 42 and 30 provides for an imconnected to the negative side of current source 48 through fiat conductor 16, contact 30 and conductor 20.

With the switch parts in either the positions shown in FIG. 5 or the positions shown in FIG. 6, motor 40 is operating at a given speed. When the switch parts are returned to the positions shown in FIG. 4, the interconnection of motor terminal 42 and 30 provides for an immediate dynamic braking of motor movement and the precise control of the parts motivated by motor 40.

It readily may be appreciated from the description given above, that switch 10 is of extremely simple design and easily may be fabricated by well-known methods from readily available materials and parts. Switch 10 essentially is planar with conductors 14, 16, 18 and 20 lying in a plane and conductors 26, 28 and 30 sliding in electrical contact with the fiat conductors in this plane. Switch 10 readily is adapted for use with printed circuit arrangements as may be seen from the fact that the fiat conductors, across which switching occur, may be printed circuit elements positioned on a printed circuit board and need not be connected to round wires or other conductors that may be present within a switch housing. 'No such switch housing is included in the design of the switch of this invention.

We claim:

'1. Electric switching means operative to direct selectively electric current from a current source having a pair of terminals of opposite polarity to an electric motor having a pair of terminals adapted to have opposite polarity and to dynamically brake said motor, said switching means including: a circuit mounting member, four flat electrical conductors mounted by said member and being substantially in a plane, a portion of each of said conductors being positioned in proximity to one another at a switching area of said member, a first of said conductors being connected to one terminal of said motor, a second of said conductors being connected to the other terminal of said motor, a third of said conductors being connected to one terminal of said current source and the fourth of said conductors being connected to the other terminal of said current source, a slidable switch actuator secured adjacent said mounting member and adapted to slide adjacent the plane of said conductors, electrically conductive bridging means comprising three distinct electrically conductive contact members carried by said switch actuator and slidable in intimate contact with said conductors, said bridging means having a first position interconnecting said first and third conductors and said second and fourth conductors, a second position interconnecting said first and fourth conductors and said second and third conductors and a third position interconnecting said first and second conductors.

2. Electric switching means operative to direct selectively electric current from a current source to an electric motor to operate said motor and to connect said motor for dynamic braking, said switching means including: a

planar circuit mounting member; four flat electrical conductors mounted by said member and lying in a plane, a. portion of each of said conductors converging about a point on said mounting member while being remote from electrical contact with one another; said electric motor being reversible and having a pair of terminals; a first of said conductors being connected to one terminal of said motor; a second of said conductors being connected to the other terminal of said motor; a third of said conductors being connected to one terminal of said current source; and the fourth of said conductors being connected to the other terminal of said current source; the orientation of said conductors about said point on said mounting member being such that said first and second conductors are diametrically opposed and said third and fourth conductors are diametrically opposed; a manually movable switch actuator secured adjacent said mounting member and adapted to slide adjacent the plane of said conductors; electrically conductive bridging means comprising three distinct electrically conductive contact members carried by said actuator for movement therewith and slidable in intimate contact with said conductors; said bridging means having a first position interconnecting said first and third conductors and said second and fourth conductors to op- References Cited The following references, cited by the Examiner, are of record in the patented file of this patent or the original patent.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,556,828 10/1925 Wyman 200-1 U 3,209,088 9/1965 NVanless et al. 200--l6 D 3,271,536 9/1966 Schink 200-l6 R 3,485,966 12/1969 Bailey et a1. 200-153 K X ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner R. A. VANDERHYE, Assistant Examiner U.S. C1. X.R. 200-16, 164 R 

